End To Excuse Justice In Sight

Friday 2 Jul 2004

Stephen Franks - Press Releases - Crime & Justice

ACT New Zealand Justice Spokesman Stephen Franks today said that he would be keeping score when National Leader Dr Don Brash outlined his party's justice policies - to ensure that he has adopted them all and left nothing out.

"For the past 30 years, National has collaborated with Labour in a loopy justice experiment. While in power, both have backed their officials and supported the theory that if we are nice to criminals, they will be nice to us. I'm expecting National to renounce that," Mr Franks said.

"On Sunday, Dr Brash will announce his new approach to justice - if he's as bold as we expect, Dr Brash could transform the debate, as he did on Treaty issues with his Orewa speech. We expect Dr Brash to borrow many more ACT policies on crime, as he did on the Treaty. If so, I'll be delighted.

"I have a checklist for Dr Brash's announcement, and I hope he scores as highly as ACT expects. It can be found at www.act.org.nz/crimechecklist.

"ACT wants every MP in Parliament to vote for our policies. It would be great if - like Dr Brash - they shared our principles. But, even if other parties steal policies without acknowledgement, and support them only out of fear of the voters, we'll settle for that.

"For ACT, it is not a matter of credit, it is a matter of principle. ACT MPs do not come to Parliament seeking thanks, we come seeking change," Mr Franks said.

ENDS

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